Should You Treat Your Child’s Lip Tie?
20 May 2025
What is a Lip Tie
A lip tie happens when the tissue connecting your child’s upper lip to their gums (called the frenulum) is too thick or tight. This can limit the movement of the lip. Lip ties are common in babies and toddlers. Some lip ties are mild and don’t need treatment, while others can affect feeding and development.
The upper lip needs to move freely to help with latching, sucking, and later on, speech. If the tissue restricts that movement, your child might experience problems during feeding or brushing.
Symptoms of a Lip Tie
You might notice a lip tie during routine feeding or cleaning. Parents often discover it while lifting their baby’s upper lip to brush or during breastfeeding.
Here are some signs your child may have a lip tie:
- Difficulty latching or staying latched during breastfeeding
- Gassiness or clicking sounds while feeding
- Slow weight gain despite frequent feedings
- A visible band of tissue connecting the upper lip to the gum, especially if it’s thick or tight
- Fussiness during or after feeding
If you are unsure, a pediatric dentist can assess whether a lip tie is present and if it’s causing any issues.
Issues Caused by a Lip Tie
Not all lip ties cause problems, but in some cases, they interfere with basic functions. The degree of restriction and symptoms usually determine whether treatment is needed.
Untreated lip ties may lead to:
- Breastfeeding challenges for both the parent and the baby
- Early tooth decay if food gets trapped near the frenulum and is hard to clean
- A gap between the front teeth
- Difficulty brushing the upper front teeth due to discomfort
- Speech difficulties if the lip’s movement stays restricted into toddlerhood
When a lip tie causes more than one of these issues, it’s worth speaking to a specialist.
Should You Treat Your Child’s Lip Tie?
Kids Dental Group recommends monitoring your child’s lip tie before deciding on treatment. Many lip ties do not cause problems and do not need a procedure. If your child is feeding well, gaining weight, and showing no signs of discomfort, observation is often the best approach.
Treatment may be necessary if the lip tie clearly interferes with daily functions. Signs that may call for treatment include:
- Ongoing feeding struggles, especially with breastfeeding
- Pain for the breastfeeding parent
- Difficulty cleaning the upper front teeth
- Speech concerns as your child grows
If these issues appear, a pediatric dentist can assess the severity and discuss treatment options. A frenectomy is a short procedure, but it should only be done when clearly needed. In most cases, our team recommends trying support from lactation consultants or bodyworkers first.
Monitoring allows us to make an informed decision over time, not a rushed one.
You can also read our full guide to lip ties here
Talk to a Pediatric Dentist
If you’re unsure whether your child’s lip tie needs treatment, a pediatric dentist can help guide the decision. They can assess your child’s feeding, dental health, and overall development to see if the lip tie is causing issues.
You don’t need to decide right away. Some children do well without treatment, while others benefit from early intervention. A dental professional can explain the options and work with you to decide what’s best for your child.
Kids Dental Group Can Help with Tongue Ties
Kids Dental Group treats tongue and lip ties with care and experience. Our team includes pediatric dentists trained to assess ties and provide safe, effective treatment when needed. We work with parents, lactation consultants, and other health professionals to make sure your child receives the right support before and after any procedure.
We use gentle techniques, including laser frenectomy when appropriate, and guide you through each step of the process—whether that’s monitoring or moving forward with treatment.
You can visit us at one of our three convenient locations: Richmond Hill, Markham, Stouffville, or HIllcrest. Each office is designed with children in mind and staffed with professionals who understand how to keep young patients comfortable.
